Union says problems were known

A CENTRAL Queensland Nurses Union spokesman yesterday said it was obvious Queensland Health’s new payroll system was not properly tested before it went live.

A report by the state’s Auditor-General found the project board decided to go live with the system despite risks being pointed out to them.

David Abraham, Queensland Nurses Union organiser for the Central and Western Regions, said it was obvious the system had problems.

“That was known well and truly when the first pay on the new system came out,” Mr Abraham said.

The report also recommends that award structures be simplified prior to new payroll systems to remove complexities that affect efficient pay processes.

Mr Abraham said this was not a possibility as workers had fought for the conditions of their awards.

“Award simplification is not going to happen.”

He said the Government’s stuff-up was being paid for by workers.

“The problem is the Government bought a faulty system and the nurses and doctors and everyone else that works for the Queensland Health system are paying for it.”

With Queensland Health employees still not being paid correctly, Mr Abraham said it looked as if things were getting worse.

“The last pay was just as bad as the first pay; it’s going backwards.”

With no immediate solution in sight, Mr Abraham hoped Queensland Health would look at decentralisation.

“It doesn’t matter how many times people speak to Queensland Health, they’re just not listening. The sooner they decentralise and give local people training so they can deal with local issues the better off they’re going to be.”

Queensland Health pays will go through today, and Mr Abraham said he would wait to see if there was any improvement.

In yesterday’s report, the Auditor-General made several recommendations including clear lines of accountability and contingency plans.

Meanwhile, Queensland Health is refusing to comment on reports that two senior Queensland Health bureaucrats have been sacked over the payroll bungle.